“ARE you waiting for me?” was the opening line John Thorley used to the girl he had spotted at the Savoy Picture House in Spalding.

Ruby told him she wasn’t, but John obviously made an impression as the Spalding couple celebrated 60 years of marriage on Sunday.

The couple, of Pinchbeck Road, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with 26 family and friends, including their son David, daughter Kathleen, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The young couple were living at Gosberton Clough and Holbeach Drove and had recently left school when Ruby and her friend sat in front of John and his friend at the pictures – and shared some of their sweets.

Their married life has been spent in various locations as John has changed jobs within the agricultural industry, eventually retiring from George Adams. Ruby meanwhile did nursery work before carrying out domestic work for Mrs Joan Adams, something she did for 18 years.

The couple’s secret for a long marriage is: “Just hard work,” according to Ruby. “You have to work together at marriage, you don’t want to be pulling in different directions. It’s worked out very well for us.”